Latest California Healthline Stories
Virginia Case Against Reform Law Heard in Federal Court
Last week, the Commonwealth of Virginia opened its effort to overturn the new health reform law by arguing in court that the overhaul equated to an “unprecedented” overreach by the federal government. Virginia is one of 21 states challenging the constitutionality of the law’s mandate that individuals must obtain health coverage, which the states argue oversteps Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce. The Virginia case is the first to reach the oral argument stage after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. New York Times, Washington Post.
Ventura County Nursing Home Complaints on the Rise Since 2004
Complaints against Ventura County nursing homes have increased dramatically since the enactment of a 2004 law designed to improve care at facilities statewide. Meanwhile, state officials are considering proposals to increase nursing home accountability. Ventura County Star.
Proposed Bill Would Cut Medi-Cal Payments for Major Medical Mistakes
A bill moving through the state Legislature aims to lower Medi-Cal reimbursements for medical errors that result from inadequate care. Proponents say the policy change could reduce Medi-Cal spending by about $13 million annually. California Watch‘s “CaliforniaWatchBlog.”
Hospitals, Doctors Wary of Governor’s Proposed Reductions to Medi-Cal
Health care providers are concerned about the possible effects of a plan to cut $523 million from Medi-Cal by freezing reimbursement rates for inpatient care and scaling back certain benefits. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 2, 2010
Officials announced that Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center has paid off its estimated $27.5 million debt to Prime Healthcare Services. Meanwhile, the Marin County Board of Supervisors said it would consider litigation in its efforts to regain funds from Sutter Health.
CBO Forecasts Deficit Growth Despite Health Reform Law
On Wednesday, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf predicted that the federal deficit will continue to grow in coming decades despite the cost-containment provisions of the new health reform law. Presenting CBO’s projections to the bipartisan White House Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, Elmendorf said the law made a “dent” in overall health care spending, but it “did not substantially diminish the challenge” of cutting costs. Washington Post, Wall Street Journal.
California Endowment Report Highlights Health Disparities
Black and Hispanic men and boys are more than twice as likely as their white counterparts to have poor health and experience the effects of violence and other trauma, according to a report released this week by the California Endowment. The report, which examined the links between different communities and various health factors, used research from the RAND Corporation, Harvard Law School, Drexel University College of Medicine and PolicyLink. Fresno Bee, HealthyCal.
Assembly Votes To Ban BPA From Kids’ Feeding Products
The California Assembly yesterday approved a bill (SB 797) that would ban the use of bisphenol-A in any products, such as formula cans and bottles, used to feed children younger than age three. FDA in January called for more research into BPA, which has been linked to asthma, autism, breast cancer, hyperactivity and infertility. Los Angeles Times, AP/Ventura County Star.
Reform Law Could Add to ED Overcrowding, Wait Times, Experts Say
Analysts say the health reform law could contribute to longer wait times and overcrowding in hospital emergency departments as more residents obtain coverage. A growing shortage of primary care physicians also could add to ED crowding. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Editorial: Address Budget Gap With Higher Vice Taxes
California lawmakers are “cowering before deep-pocketed lobbies for the alcohol and tobacco industries” by not proposing modest increases in taxes on such products to help close the state’s $19 billion budget deficit, a Sacramento Bee editorial argues. Taxes on beer, wine and liquor have remained unchanged since 1991, and legislation to increase cigarette taxes is stalled. As it is unlikely lawmakers will move to raise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products, the editorial says it is “understandable” that a ballot initiative to do so could come into play. Sacramento Bee.